Latest News | Pokemon Sword and Shield

This section is consistently updated with the latest news about Pokemon Sword and Shield. Check back for details about the The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra DLC, and all other news.

October 2021

October 22: Japan Birthday Happiny Distribution

Start	November 1st, 2021
End	October 31st, 2022

Starting November 1, players visiting Pokemon Centers in Japan who can prove it's their birthday month will receive a serial code for a special Birthday Happiny!

As with all Birthday Pokemon, this Happiny knows the move Celebrate.

October 10: Shiny Zacian and Zamazenta Distribution

Start	October 22nd, 2021
End	November 18th, 2021

To celebrate the upcoming release of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, players will have the chance to get a Shiny Zacian or Zamazenta via Serial Code.

These special Zacian and Zamazenta come equipped with the Rusted Sword and Rusted Shield respectively, allowing them to change to their Crown Forms!

Shiny Zacian and Shiny Zamazenta Serial Code Distribution

October 8: Ranked Battle Series 11 Rules Announced!

Start	November 1st, 2021
End	January 31st, 2022

The rules for Ranked Battle Series 11 have been announced! From November 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022, Legendary Pokemon are once again allowed in competitive play as well as Dynamax and Gigantamax.

Ranked Battle Series 11 | Rules and Legal Pokemon

October 7: Best Buy Dynamax Crystal Distribution

Start	October 10th, 2021
End	October 24th, 2021

Players visiting Best Buy from October 10 to October 24, 2021 will receive special Dynamax Crystals that allow them to catch Gigantamax Piakchu and Gigantamax Eevee!

Gigantamax Pikachu

Ability	Lightning Rod
Moveset	・Celebrate ・Double Team ・Thunderbolt ・Wish

Gigantamax Eevee

Ability	Anticipation
Moveset	・Celebrate ・Wish ・Double Edge ・Swift

October 1: Alolan Starters Max Raid Event!

Start	October 1st, 2021
End	October 3rd, 2021

Alola! The three starters from Pokemon Sun and Moon makes an appearance at Max Raid Battles! Grab the chance to capture Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio from October 1st to October 3rd!

You can even encounter one with their own respective Hidden Ability, and you are able to use different Poke Balls to capture them!

October 1st to October 3rd Max Raid Event
Rowlet	Litten	Popplio

List of Max Raid Events

September 2021

September 30: Sign Up for the Spooky Cup Online Competition!

Start	October 15th, 2021 (Fri.)
End	October 17th, 2021 (Sun.)

Sign ups for the Spooky Cup 2021 have begun! From October 15 to October 17, players can participate in a Doubles Battle Competition that only allows Spooky Pokemon!

Spooky Cup 2021 Online Competition

September 30: Shiny Zacian and Zamazenta Distribution

Start	October 22nd, 2021
End	November 18th, 2021

To celebrate the upcoming release of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, players in Japan have the chance to get a Shiny Zacian or Zamazenta.

These special Zacian and Zamazenta come equipped with the Rusted Sword and Rusted Shield respectively, allowing them to change to their Crown Forms!

Present Your Pokemon Home App

To redeem these special legendary Pokemon, players need to present their Pokemon Home menu screen on their Nintendo Switch to a staff member at video game stores nationwide!

September 22: Shiny Zacian and Zamazenta Distribution

Start	November 19th, 2021
End	December 31st, 2021

South Korean players who pre-order the retail and digital versions of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will receive a special code for Sword and Shield for a Shiny Zacian or Zamazenta, with the code being distributed from November 19 to December 31, 2021.

Pre-orders for the game in South Korea begin on October 1, 2021 for the retail version, while digital versions of the copy are already accepting pre-orders through Nintendo eShop.

Pokemon Trading Board

September 17th: Meteorite Max Raid Event!

Start	September 17th, 2021
End	September 19th, 2021

Get ready for a taste of space! From September 17 to 19, some Max Raid Dens will feature Solrock and Lunatone! You may even get the chance to encounter them as Shinies so make sure to catch this Max Raid Event!

September 17th to September 19th Max Raid Event
Lunatone	Solrock

List of Max Raid Events

September 7: Dada Zarude and Shiny Celebi Giveaway!

In celebration of the upcoming international release of Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, Dada Zarude and Shiny Celebi will be given away in Pokemon Sword and Shield!

The Mystery Gift code will be distributed through email to all players who are signed up and subscribed to the Pokemon Trainer Club newsletter on or before September 25, 2021.

Check out this link to sign up for an account!

Dada Zarude and Shiny Celebi Online Distribution

Semptember 3: Cleaning-Themed Max Raid Event!

Start	September 3rd, 2021
End	September 5th, 2021

Get your cleaning supplies ready! Encounter Altaria, Cinccino, and more in this Max Raid Event from September 3rd until September 5th!

In addition to these, you might also meet a rare Shiny Cincinno! Don't miss this event!

September 3rd to September 5th Max Raid Event
Swablu	Altaria
Cinccino	Mow Rotom
Wimpod

List of Max Raid Events

August 2021

August 26: Sign Up for the Mythical Melee Online Competition!

Start	September 10th, 2021 (Fri.)
End	September 12th, 2021 (Sun.)

Sign ups for the Mythical Melee Online Competition have begun! From September 10 to September 12, players can participate in a Singles Battle Competition that only allows Sub-Legendary, Legendary, and Mythical Pokemon!

Mythical Melee Online Competition

August 21: A Special Porygon-Z Mystery Gift!

Start	August 21st, 2021 (Sat.)
End	August 22st, 2021 (Sun.)
Code	1STPTCCHAMP

As part of the Pokemon Trainers Cup Stream, players can redeem a special Porygon-Z based on the one used by Jeong Sang-yoon, the winner of 2020's Pokemon Trainer's Cup by using the code: 1STPTCCHAMP.

How to Get Mystery Gifts

August 20: Haunted Summer Max Raid Event!

Start	August 20th, 2021
End	August 22nd, 2021

Spooky Ghost-type Pokemon makes their way in Max Raid Battles! Get a chance to meet Gengar, Chandelure, Drifblim and other Ghost-type Pokemon in Raid Dens! You might even get the chance to encounter Gigantamax Gengar or a Shiny Chandelure! Don't miss this event!

August 20th to August 22nd Max Raid Event
Gastly	Haunter
Gengar	Litwick
Chandelure	Drifloon
Drifblim	Gigantamax Gengar

List of Max Raid Events

August 15: A Special Coalossal Mystery Gift!

Start	August 14th, 2021 (Sat.)
End	August 16th, 2021 (Mon.)
Code	V1CT0RYENG1NE25

As part of the Pokemon Players Cup Invitational Stream, players can redeem a special Coalossal based on the one used by the 2016 World Champion Wolfe Glick by using the code: V1CT0RYENG1NE25.

How to Get Mystery Gifts

August 13: Same Double Beat Online Competition Begins!

Start	August 13th, 2021 (Fri.)
End	August 15th, 2021 (Sun.)

The Same Double Beat Online Competition has begun! From August 13 to August 15, players can participate in a Doubles Battle Competition that allows duplicate Pokemon and Held Items!

Same Double Beat Online Competition

August 6: Summer Max Raid Event!

Start	August 6th, 2021
End	August 8th, 2021

The sun's out in the Galar region! Seaking, Fan Rotom, Vanilluxe, and other summer-themed Pokemon will show up in Max Raid Battles!

Head to the Wild Area now and you may even get a chance to encounter a Shiny Vanilluxe! Don't miss this event!

August 6th - August 8th Max Raid Event
Vanillite	Vanillish
Vanilluxe	Fan Rotom
Pinsir	Heracross
Goldeen	Seaking
Nincada	Ninjask

List of Max Raid Events

August 1: Ranked Battle Series 10 Begins!

Start	August 1st, 2021 (Sun.)
End	August 31st, 2021 (Tue.)

Ranked Battle Series 10 is now live! With the new ruleset, Legendary Pokemon are once again included in competitive play.

Additionally, the new Ranked Battle Season prevents the use of Dynamax and Gigantamax!

Ranked Battle Series 10 | Rules and Legal Pokemon

August 1: Beast Ball Mystery Gift!

Start	July 31th, 2021 (Sat.)
End	August 1, 2021 (Sun.) 11:59 PM GMT

A code was released and players will have the chance to get a Beast Ball by using the code: PC4F1NALSBEAST.

This giveaway will end soon, so don't miss the chance to get this gift!

How to Get Mystery Gifts and List of Codes

Past News

Check out our list of past news for information on the events, distributions, and wild areas news you may have missed!

List of Past News

Related Links

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